These Trends From 13 Going on 30 Are Still "Flirty and Thriving"

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(Image credit: Everett Collection)

Fashion and nostalgia go hand in hand, as we've proven time and time again. You'll often find us placing bets on what Blair Waldorf would wear if Gossip Girl aired in 2018 or taking another look at Britney Spears's character in the 2002 movie Crossroads. I firmly believe that some of the best fashion can be found in throwback movies. Take 13 Going on 30, for example. When the 2004 film was first released, I remember looking up to Jennifer Garner's character as potentially the Carrie Bradshaw of the movie (coincidentally, Sex and the City's final episode aired the same year).

Jenna was an editor at a major NYC fashion magazine, lived in a gorgeous apartment, and wore a ton of clothes I thought were It. I went to rewatch the film recently, and while I found some of the fashion to be pretty out-there (see her crystal butterfly necklace), I was surprised to discover that her wardrobe was actually much more 2018 than I could have predicted.

Since the timeline flip-flops between 30-year-old Jenna's early-'00s reality and her '80s teenage years, the movie's filled with nostalgic trends from both time periods. Think baguette bags and slip dresses but also bold colors and fun scrunchies. Ahead see which trends from the movie are definitely still "flirty and thriving."

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Itty-Bitty Should Bags
(Image credit: Everett Collection)

It seems everyone's wearing this major noughties trend right now, especially since the relaunch of Dior's iconic Saddle bag. Maybe we wouldn't wear it exactly the way Jennifer Garner's character did, but the trend is definitely still thriving.

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Romantic Bustiers
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It seems this trend popped up in both 13 Going on 30 and Sex and the City. Here's proof of the latter.

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Cardigan Sets
(Image credit: Everett Collection)

You probably associated sweater sets with a certain preppy, country club–going crowd, but trust me (and trust Jenna) that this pretty trend has officially gone mainstream.

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'80s Scrunchies
(Image credit: Everett Collection)

And now for a little '80s throwback since the decade is still having a moment in 2018. In case you haven't noticed, scrunchies are kind of everywhere right now, and Jenna was an early adopter of the trend, curled bangs and all.

Next up: See the outfits Blair Waldorf would wear if Gossip Girl aired in 2018.

Editor

Anna is an editor on the fashion team at Who What Wear and has been at the company for over five years, having begun her career in the Los Angeles office before relocating to New York, where she's currently based. Having always been passionate about pursuing a career in fashion, she built up her experience interning at the likes of Michael Kors, A.L.C., and College Fashionista before joining the team as a post-graduate assistant editor. Anna has penned a number of interviews with Who What Wear's cover stars over the years, including A-listers Megan Fox, Issa Rae, and Emma Chamberlain. She's earned a reputation for scouting new and emerging brands from across the globe and championing them to our audience of millions. While fashion is her main wheelhouse, Anna led the launch of WWW Travels last year, a new lifestyle vertical that highlights all things travel through a fashion-person lens. She is passionate about shopping vintage, whether it be at a favorite local outpost or an on-the-road discovery, and has amassed a wardrobe full of unique finds. When she's not writing, you can find her shooting street imagery on her film camera, attempting to learn a fourth or fifth language, or planning her next trip across the globe.